Rogers fires a Warner warning for England and tells hosts to start feeling the pressure as bad-boy batsman eyes return

Australian opener Chris Rogers believes Australia can only benefit from having David Warner back in their side for the third Test.

Warner could return in place of Steve Smith, who sat out training on Tuesday with a bad back.

Warner was suspended for punching England's Joe Root in a Birmingham bar last month and was sent to join up with Australia A.VIDEO Scroll down to watch Chris Rogers return: Tough to take

In the running: David Warner (centre) could come in for Australia at Old Trafford

Looking for a way back: Warner (right) with his team-mates during training

Back problem: Steve Smith (left) walks off the field with an injury and is a doubt for the third Test

Stretching a point: Warner warms up

He scored 193 against South Africa A
in Pretoria and the 26-year-old could be in line to play at Emirates Old
Trafford on Thursday.

It was thought Rogers or Phil Hughes
could make way for Warner - who is likely to bat in the middle order -
but Australia may have to bring him in for Smith.

Rogers said: 'David brings a lot of energy to the group. He goes 100mph and it is fantastic to see him get runs,

'He is such a destructive player so if he bats for long he could put some real pressure on England.

'He is one of those ones the opposition know they have to get out quickly.

'If he bats for a while he can take the game away like a (Adam) Gilchrist used to do.

'Hopefully he can do that for us if he does play.

'I think they used Davey in the middle
order when he played for Australia A - I don't know if that is what
they want to do but maybe it is.'

Meanwhile, Rogers has admitted he has
found his return to international cricket ‘tough to take’ as his side
prepare to avoid going 3-0 down in the Ashes.

The 35-year-old, whose previous crack
at the top level came in a solitary Test against India in January 2008,
has scored just 89 runs in this series, making 52 in the second innings at Trent Bridge
and 16, 15 and six in his other knocks.

Rogers and fellow opener Shane Watson
opted to stay in London last week to refresh themselves ahead of the
third Test rather than join the rest of the squad for the three-day game
against Sussex at Hove.

Net gains: Warner had a bat as he looks for a recall to the Australian senior side

Kitted out: Warner struggled to put his helmet on before going for a bat

Rogers said: ‘It was just the fact
that I’ve played quite a lot so far, and it was a good chance to have a
break mentally and physically. There’s a lot more pressure naturally
playing international cricket, so it was good to get away and refresh.’

Asked whether he had enjoyed his
return to international cricket, he replied: ‘It’s been interesting.
There are things about it that are quite intense and sometimes hard to
enjoy. But the fact that you’re playing for your country, living your
dream – that’s a fantastic thing to do, and I feel very privileged.
There are pros and cons, but I’m loving this opportunity.

‘I’m not naïve enough to know it
wasn’t going to be different to anything I’d experienced before. But
it’s still quite hard to experience it once you’re involved – and the
scrutiny that comes with it, particularly as we haven’t played to the
standard we’d have liked to, and myself individually.

‘So that’s been tough to take in some respects. I knew this was going to happen, so I’ve just got to get on with it.’

Throwing himself about: Warner really got into fielding practice

Limbering up: The Australians training at Emirates Old Trafford with The Point in the background